Pump recommendations for a BRS GFO reactor?

reefermadness3 · 03/17/2014, 07:00 AM

I currently have an old Cobalt MJ1200 running my brs gfo reactor but it is dialed way back of course. I feel like I can step it down a bit but don't want to go too low to do the job. I figured somebody has the same setup and could tell me what would work. I'm also looking at power consumption and would like to be pulling as little power as possible. So would a Cobalt MJ400 be enough to do the job or should I go with the MJ600 or even the MJ900??

downbeach · 03/17/2014, 07:34 AM

My reactor is about 1/2 full using the HC GFO, and I use an MJ400. I think if you use more than that the MJ600 would be best.

Reefsi · 03/17/2014, 08:34 AM

Yeah, I agree with Down. Just make sure your pump is strong enough to make your GFO bounce around and stir inside the reactor, if not then its not serving its full purpose.

reefermadness3 · 03/17/2014, 09:03 AM

Thanks guys. Mine looks to be a bit over halfway full at this point also with the HC GFO. I think to be safe I will grab a MJ600 in case I ever need/want to add more.

leveldrummer · 03/17/2014, 09:30 AM

I ran a pump for a while, but switched to a T off the return, its much better in my opinion, plenty of flow, no extra power consumption.

reefermadness3 · 03/17/2014, 09:47 AM

Man if I thought my Waveline DC4000 could support it I would probably go that route but it is so weak at full throttle all by itself there's no way it could handle more work IMO.

Bpb · 03/17/2014, 10:34 AM

If possible, a few pieces of PVC from the hardware store and about $10 later you can run it off your return pump with a lot more power than a powerhead and for a lot cheaper. I know you will dial it back but once you cut down to changing the gfo only once a month or less, that powerhead won't have the push to break up the gfo and any clogging that will likely happen down the road.

03/17/2014, 07:00 AM	#1
reefermadness3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 100	Pump recommendations for a BRS GFO reactor? I currently have an old Cobalt MJ1200 running my brs gfo reactor but it is dialed way back of course. I feel like I can step it down a bit but don't want to go too low to do the job. I figured somebody has the same setup and could tell me what would work. I'm also looking at power consumption and would like to be pulling as little power as possible. So would a Cobalt MJ400 be enough to do the job or should I go with the MJ600 or even the MJ900??

03/17/2014, 08:34 AM	#3
Reefsi Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Crown Point, Indiana Posts: 464	Yeah, I agree with Down. Just make sure your pump is strong enough to make your GFO bounce around and stir inside the reactor, if not then its not serving its full purpose. __________________ If you can't test for it, Dont add it! Current Tank Info: 240 Gallon DT + 100 Gallon Sump, 2 MP-40's, 6 Kessil A360's, 60" ATI 4x80w, Geo 624 CR, GAC, GFO, Skimz 201 Skimmer. All powered by APEX!

03/17/2014, 07:34 AM	#2
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	My reactor is about 1/2 full using the HC GFO, and I use an MJ400. I think if you use more than that the MJ600 would be best.

03/17/2014, 09:03 AM	#4
reefermadness3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 100	Thanks guys. Mine looks to be a bit over halfway full at this point also with the HC GFO. I think to be safe I will grab a MJ600 in case I ever need/want to add more.

03/17/2014, 09:30 AM	#5
leveldrummer Reefer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,831	I ran a pump for a while, but switched to a T off the return, its much better in my opinion, plenty of flow, no extra power consumption.

03/17/2014, 09:47 AM	#6
reefermadness3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 100	Man if I thought my Waveline DC4000 could support it I would probably go that route but it is so weak at full throttle all by itself there's no way it could handle more work IMO.

03/17/2014, 10:34 AM	#7
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	If possible, a few pieces of PVC from the hardware store and about $10 later you can run it off your return pump with a lot more power than a powerhead and for a lot cheaper. I know you will dial it back but once you cut down to changing the gfo only once a month or less, that powerhead won't have the push to break up the gfo and any clogging that will likely happen down the road.